Freedom Code Compliance
Commercial

Commercial Concrete Footing/Foundation/Wall

Concrete slab, footing, foundation, or freestanding nonretaining CMU or concrete wall at commercial or multifamily property.

Last updated: Sep 29, 2026

Section 1

Required Documents

Submit these with your initial project package.

Always required

  • Construction Plans
    Construction plans showing concrete work layout, dimensions, and reinforcement. Plans prepared by a Florida-registered architect or engineer carry that professional's seal. Plans prepared by a contractor or owner are accepted without a seal unless Florida law or the building department requires professional plans.
  • Site Plan / Survey
    Site plan or survey showing property boundaries and concrete work footprint

Courtesy screen

Courtesy screen on every plan review

Every plan FCC reviews receives a limited courtesy screen for the items below when they are reasonably visible in the submitted documents. If we see an apparent issue that could cause the plans to fail review by another agency, we will identify it as a Courtesy Comment. Courtesy Comments alone do not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope. The responsible agency makes the final determination—for example, Planning and Zoning for setbacks, lot coverage, use, and other lot-compliance matters. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  1. #01Plan and document coordination

    Obvious clerical, title-block, sheet-index, permit-description, or cross-sheet inconsistencies visible in the submitted documents. A Courtesy Comment on these items does not cause FCC to fail or return the plan set unless the same condition also creates a building-code compliance issue within FCC's review scope.

    FBC-B 107.2.1
  2. #02Zoning and site coordination

    Apparent setback, lot-coverage, use, or site-dimension conflicts visible in the submitted plans that could cause the plans to fail Planning and Zoning review. Planning and Zoning makes the zoning and lot-compliance determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  3. #03Floodplain coordination

    Apparent inconsistencies or missing coordination in flood-zone, design-flood-elevation, finished-floor, or flood-opening information shown on the plans that could cause the plans to fail floodplain review. The floodplain administrator makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

  4. #04Fire-authority coordination

    Apparent separately reviewed fire alarm, sprinkler, hood-suppression, smoke-control, or similar coordination issues visible on the plans that could cause the plans to fail fire review. The fire marshal makes the determination. The absence of a Courtesy Comment is not approval of those separate requirements.

Section 2

Approval criteria for this project type

These are the building-code criteria FCC uses to determine the plan-review result. An unresolved item may be issued as a Required Correction and cause the plan set to be returned for correction.

BuildingRequired

  1. #01Design wind speed & exposureLife Safety

    Structural drawings must declare design wind speed (Vult) and exposure category matching the jurisdiction's wind speed map.

    FBC-B 1609ASCE 7-22
  2. #02Footing / foundation designLife Safety

    Footing or foundation design must show dimensions, reinforcement, depth, and connection to the structure above.

    FBC-B 1809
  3. #03Occupancy classificationLife Safety

    Occupancy group must be clearly stated. Any change of occupancy requires FBC-EB 1001 compliance path.

    FBC-B 302FBC-EB 1001
  4. #04Engineer of record seal, when engineeredDocumentation

    When a Florida engineer prepared the structural drawings, the document carries that engineer's seal and signature. Contractor- or owner-prepared structural drawings need a seal only when Florida law or the building department requires one.

    Florida Statutes Chapter 471FBC-B 107.3.5

Section 3

Inspection Walkthrough

Inspections are listed in their typical phase order. Your own inspection list comes from your approved plans. Inspections marked “If in scope” apply only when your plans include that work. Call (772) 222-6679 with questions.

Building

Phase #1

Footing / Grade Beam

If in scope
  1. Footing dimensionsCritical

    Verify footing width and depth match approved plans

  2. Rebar size and spacingCritical

    Verify rebar size, spacing, and placement per plans

  3. UFER grounding electrodeCritical

    Where the approved electrical design uses a concrete-encased electrode, show the specified material, length, placement, and connection before concrete.

    NEC 250.52
  4. Foundation anchorage layout

    Verify anchor bolt placement for sill plate attachment

Phase #2

Stem Wall

If in scope
  1. Stem wall layoutCritical

    Match the wall location and dimensions to the approved foundation plan.

  2. Wall reinforcementCritical

    Check vertical and horizontal reinforcement, laps, and clear cover before fill.

  3. Anchorage and connectionsCritical

    Show anchors and connections between the stem wall, footing, and floor system.

  4. Open cells and formsCritical

    Keep masonry cells or forms open and visible until inspection.

  5. Backfill holdCritical

    Do not backfill or conceal the stem wall before the inspection.

Phase #3

Slab

If in scope
  1. Slab vapor barrierCritical

    Verify vapor barrier is installed under slab per plans

  2. Slab thickness and wire meshCritical

    Verify slab thickness and reinforcement per plans

  3. Slab forms and elevationCritical

    Verify slab outline, thickness, and elevations match the approved plans.

  4. Under-slab preparationCritical

    Show prepared base, penetrations, and required under-slab work before the pour.

  5. Reinforcing supportCritical

    Show slab steel or mesh supported at the planned position and with required laps.

Phase #4

Fill Cell / Column

If in scope
  1. Vertical rebar placementCritical

    Verify vertical rebar is properly placed and spaced in block wall

  2. Pre-grout cell inspectionCritical

    Show open cells, cleanouts, bars, laps, and cover before grout placement.

  3. Open vertical cellsCritical

    Keep reinforced masonry cells visible before grout is placed.

  4. Column reinforcementCritical

    Verify column or pilaster steel, ties, laps, and cover against the plans.

  5. Cell cleanlinessCritical

    Confirm reinforced cells are clear of mortar droppings and debris.

Phase #5

Lintel / Tie Beam

If in scope
  1. Tie beam reinforcementCritical

    Verify tie beam rebar size, spacing, and lap splices per plans

  2. Lintel reinforcementCritical

    Verify lintel rebar and sizing over openings per plans

  3. Beam forms and bearingCritical

    Check tie beam and lintel forms, bearing, and dimensions against the plans.

  4. Concrete placement holdCritical

    Leave beam and lintel reinforcement visible until inspection.

Phase #6

Building Final

Typical Final
  1. Completed structural scopeCritical

    Confirm slab, foundation, or freestanding wall matches approved dimensions and details.

    FBC-B 110.3
  2. Visible safety and finishCritical

    Show wall stability, exposed edges, and finished site conditions for this permit.